The Best Coffee Shops to Work or Study From In Vancouver

Before we begin

Before we dig into the list of the best coffee shops to work or study from in Vancouver I should tell you that there are lots of references to Siply in there. It's an app I made that enables you to save on average $1 on each drink inside a coffee shop. You download it, charge it up with credits and use it at the shops that I mention below.
If you're interested in checking it out click here to view the website.

The Best Coffee Shops to Work or Study From In Vancouver

One of the most common questions I get asked via email is “where are the best coffee shops to work or study from in Vancouver”. It’s a tough one to answer because I don’t want to be the guy that sends someone to a coffee shop that proceeds to sit there for 8 hours after ordering one peppermint tea. That being said, I love working from coffee shops. So before I give you the list of the best coffee shops to work or study from in Vancouver, let’s go over some ground rules.

Note if you’re looking for the map view of this list it’s at the bottom of the blog post.

The Etiquette of Working In a Coffee Shop

I feel that most of the time we can cover the etiquette of working from coffee shops in one sentence: “Don’t be a dick”. Or maybe I can add to that. “Don’t be a dick and if you think you might be pushing it, the baristas have already noticed”.

What do I mean?

Don’t do this:

Sitting with the same drink all day and never buying a new one.
Sitting with the same drink for more than 2 hours.
Taking up more than one space. For example, spreading your gear out over a four-person table. Allowances can be made for 2 person tables, as long as the shop isn’t busy.
Sitting with your headphones on full volume.

Start doing this:

Buy a fresh drink every couple of hours minimum (my rule is 60 mins) – asking for more water on your teabag doesn’t count.
Try to use single seats when possible. For example window seats.
If you use a double table give it up if it gets busy.
If the only table left is a four-seater, then this shop is not for you – go somewhere else

Modus Coffee Roasters

Where to sit: There are a few seats in the far right corner.Where not to sit: Avoid the bar seats, they’re for pour-over nerds to sit at! The window tables are usually pretty busy so try to avoid working at those too.

Matchstick

Where to sit: Any communal tables and bench seats.Where not to sit: larger tables that sit more than two people. If it’s busy, don’t use a two-person table.Wifi: Yes

Special Mention 1328 Richards St

Where to sit: This venue is a workers dream – there’s a huge pseudo-communal table on the right as you go in, as well as a sprinkling of two-seaters around.Where not to sit: Any of the larger seating areas, such as the window sofa/seats.Wifi: Yes

The Only Cafe

2678 W 4th Ave

Where to sit: This place is great to work from – unlimited WiFi, loads of outlets and some headphones to borrow if you want music! Stick to the smaller seats and tables.Where not to sit: If the place is packed, be sure not to take up any larger tables for two or more.Wifi: Yes

The Narcissus

Nemesis

Where to sit: There’s a great communal table on the right as you go in, then there’s a window bench you can use too.Where not to sit: Don’t take up a booth! I see this all the time and it’s frustrating because you can get four people in them!

Quantum Coffee

Where to sit: Go for the window seats here. Sometimes the back room is open. If it’s setup for single tables you might be allowed in, but ask the staff first, as they hold lots of events there.Where not to sit: Avoid the multi-person tables.

Interlude

So I’ve mentioned Siply a bunch of times in this article and I thought it’d be cool to give you a quick demo of the special pricing I keep talking about.

As a reminder, Siply is an app that enables you to find the best coffee shops in the city then get amazing deals on drinks. Simply put – you can’t get better prices on your drinks anywhere else than this app. I made a little calculator to prove this, have a play with it and see what you think:

Sweet Barrel Creamery

Where to sit: Try to keep to the communal table or window bench if you can. The window bench has easily located plug sockets for your laptop/devices.Where not to sit: It’s a small place so avoid anywhere that two or more people could sit, like the tiny tables they’ve got setup.Wifi: Yes

Evening Coffee Shops to Work or Study From in Vancouver

It’s a pity, but there’s not a huge selection of great coffee shops available to work from at night so going back to the question “Where are the best coffee shops to work or study from in Vancouver?”, I guess most of them are daytime shops. But there are a few really killer shops available, you just might have to wander around a little to look for them.

Aperture

4124 Main St
Open Until: 9:30

Where to sit: I like the back of the shop, on the smaller tables.Where not to sit: Any of the larger tables.Wifi: Yes

Our Town

Where to sit: any of the small tables or the window seats.Where not to sit: Don’t take over the larger areas, such as the nook at the back… besides, you may get kicked out of there because that’s where their bands play!Wifi: Yes

Sweet Barrel Creamery

Where to sit: Try to keep to the communal table or window bench if you can. The window bench has easily located plug sockets for your laptop/devices.Where not to sit: It’s a small place so avoid anywhere that two or more people could sit, like the tiny tables they’ve got setup.Wifi: Yes

Turks Coffee

1276 Commercial Dr
Open until 10pm

Where to sit: Pretty much any seat that is on a smaller table.Where not to sit: Ok I’ll admit, it’s been a while since I’ve been in here but I think there are only two-seater tables, so you should be good. Don’t sit on the baristas lap, I guess.Wifi: Yes

24 Hour Coffee Shops to Work or Study From in Vancouver

OK first off, there’s no truly great places to drink coffee at 24 hours a day. Breka is probably my top pick of the best coffee shops to work or study from in Vancouver at 3 am! That being said, they’re not your typical specialty coffee shop. Their coffee is dark and a little rough to be honest. But their food more than makes up for it.

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Questions I’m bound to get:

But VCS, owners should expect people to camp out in their shops and plan around it

The reality of this is that we live in one of the most expensive cities on earth. Rent is outrageous at the best of times, staffing is a nightmare and shops simply can’t afford to have someone take up a spot that could be used by a paying customer.

Why isn’t shop XYZ on the list?

Because I knew it would annoy you. Also, I probably forgot about it. Email me it.

I want MY shop on the list.

Shop owners, sorry, it wasn’t a snub! Well, unless you suck. Or are a chain. If not, email me.

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The Best Coffee Shops to Work or Study From In Vancouver

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It's finally here, the only list you'll ever need if you want to know the best coffee shops to work or study from in Vancouver.

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Vancouver Coffee Snob

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Vancouver Coffee Snob

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The Vancouver Coffee Snob is the highest rated coffee reviewer there has ever been on this site. Which makes sense really, as he's the only one posting on here.
His reviews should, at best, not be trusted and there's no substance to the rumor that he has a jar of instant coffee in his kitchen.
Ultimately his heart is in the right place. Physically that is... he's actually a bit of imbecile in person.